FLASHBACK — March 2000-2002

CUC legal counsel quits[/B]

Assistant Attorney General Bill Ohle has reportedly resigned as legal counsel of the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation, apparently a victim of the power struggle within the board following the ouster of former Chair Rosario M. Elameto. He handed his resignation letter to CUC Executive Director Timothy P. Villagomez immediately after the election of Jesus T. Guerrero as chair last Thursday during a board meeting. When sought over the weekend for comment, Mr. Ohle neither confirmed nor denied the report, saying only that he would respond to questions this week. According to sources, Villagomez accepted his resignation on the day he submitted the letter.

Eyeing another shot at the highest post in the Commonwealth, former Gov. Froilan C. Tenorio disclosed last Friday he would launch his bid for the gubernatorial election next year under the Reform Party. At the same time, he criticized the present administration for using him as a scapegoat for most of the problems dogging the CNMI, saying it is time for a change in order to improve the island’s economy. But Mr. Tenorio said he has yet to pick a running mate for the 2001 elections, whom he added he wants to come from the Democrats—the party he deserted last year to form the new political party.
[B] March 20, 2001

Tougher anti-prostitution law on the way[/B]

Legislators are now working on the amended version of the anti-prostitution law, seen to mete out sex workers and pimps with tighter penalties that may include longer jail term and deportation for non-Americans. House Committee on Health and Welfare Chair Malua Peter said work is now underway for the incorporation of proposals submitted by the Department of Public Safety to the amended version of the law. Ms. Peter said she hopes to introduce the proposed measure in the next session of the House of Representatives to complement efforts by the Administration against continued operation of the sex trade in the CNMI.

The Commonwealth Development Authority warned that it may takeover the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation if the power firm continues to ignore demands to pay its $150 million debt. During the inquiry called in yesterday by House Committee on Public Utilities, Transportation and Communication Chair Rosiky Camacho, CDA underscored CUC’s obligation’s to pay both the principal and the interest of the multi-million dollar loan. The much participated meeting drew attention from the Department of Finance, NMI Retirement Fund, Commonwealth Ports Authority, Attorney General’s Office and other members of the House of the Representatives.
[B] March 20, 2002

‘Bombing to go on’[/B]

The U.S. Navy has indicated that, even if the court has already ruled in favor of the Center for Biological Diversity on the matter of the Farallon de Mendinilla bombing, it would wait for a court injunction before it halts bombing practices on the island. At the same time, CBD counsel Paul Achitoff said there is no negotiations going on between the CBD and the U.S. Navy as to the cessation of bombing exercises on Farallon de Mendinilla, following the court’s ruling on the case. Achitoff said that, to his knowledge, the U.S. Navy has not appealed the court’s adverse decision, in connection with the legality of the military exercises.

Senate President Paul A. Manglona said the best way to handle the recent court ruling that U.S. military bombings on the Farallon de Mendinilla violates a bird treaty is for the CNMI to map out a single approach that would balance the need to protect the environment and the economic survival of the local economy. At the same time, Manglona stressed that, although the CNMI is not a party to the lawsuit filed by the Center for Biological Diversity against the U.S. military, the Commonwealth still has to be concerned over the court’s adverse ruling against the U.S. military as it would directly affect revenue-generating efforts of the CNMI. “We need to talk to our counsel, as well as the Governor, his legal counsel and the Office of the Attorney General. We have to come up together with one approach on how to go about this issue,” said the Senate President.